I am advised by Revenue that it currently operates 19 Dog Detector Teams, which includes one team working on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. A further 7 posts, which are vacant due to staff movements, are in the process of being filled.
Statistics in relation to seizures by the Teams are compiled on an annual basis. The table below sets out the seizures secured in 2019. The information in the table excludes food seizures achieved by the team operating on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as this information is reported separately by that Department.
Year 2019
|
Type
|
Quantity
|
Value
|
|
Cannabis (Herbal & Resin)
|
329.8kg
|
€6,547,602
|
|
Cocaine & Heroin
|
1.14kg
|
€79,723
|
|
Amphetamine, Ecstasy & Other
|
182kg
|
€6,344,235
|
|
Cash
|
|
|
|
Euro
|
-
|
€318,980
|
|
Sterling
|
-
|
£44,000
|
|
US Dollars
|
-
|
$3,000
|
|
Tobacco & Cigarettes
|
|
|
|
Cigarettes/Cigars
|
6,520,638Kg
|
€3,611,570
|
|
Tobacco
|
471.37Kg
|
€256,205
|
Revenue has confirmed to me that the current number of Dog Detector Teams meets its operational needs. However, the requirement is kept under review, having regard to ongoing risk assessment and evolving operational needs.
